Louisiana gubernatorial election, 1872

Louisiana gubernatorial election, 1872. The election was held on November 4, 1872, to elect the Governor of Louisiana, with William Pitt Kellogg, a Republican, facing off against John McEnery, a Democrat. The election was marked by controversy and violence, with both candidates claiming victory, and was influenced by the Reconstruction Era and the Ku Klux Klan. The election was also notable for the involvement of Ulysses S. Grant, the President of the United States, and Rutherford B. Hayes, who would later become President of the United States.

Background

The Reconstruction Era in the United States was a time of great turmoil and change, particularly in the Southern United States. The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution had abolished slavery, and the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution had granted citizenship to former slaves. However, the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups were determined to maintain their power and control over the African American population. In Louisiana, the Republican government, led by Governor Henry C. Warmoth, was facing opposition from the Democratic party, which was dominated by white Democrats. The 1872 United States presidential election was also taking place, with Ulysses S. Grant running for re-election against Horace Greeley, and the Liberal Republican Party was also a factor in the election.

Candidates

The Republican candidate, William Pitt Kellogg, was a carpetbagger from Vermont who had moved to Louisiana after the American Civil War. He was supported by the African American community and the Republican party, which was dominated by carpetbaggers and scalawags. The Democratic candidate, John McEnery, was a native of Louisiana and a former Confederate officer. He was supported by the white Democrats and the Ku Klux Klan. Other candidates included Belden and Davenport, who were also Democratic candidates.

Campaign

The campaign was marked by violence and intimidation, particularly against African American voters. The Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups used terrorism and violence to try to prevent African American voters from casting their ballots. The Republican party, led by William Pitt Kellogg, responded by forming militia units to protect African American voters. The campaign was also marked by controversy over the voting rights of African American men, with the Democratic party opposing the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which granted voting rights to African American men. The 1872 United States presidential election was also a factor in the campaign, with Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes supporting the Republican candidates.

Election Results

The election results were disputed, with both William Pitt Kellogg and John McEnery claiming victory. The Republican party claimed that Kellogg had won the election, while the Democratic party claimed that McEnery had won. The dispute was eventually resolved by the Louisiana State Legislature, which declared Kellogg the winner. The election results were also influenced by the Reconstruction Era and the Ku Klux Klan, with many African American voters being prevented from casting their ballots. The results of the election were as follows: William Pitt Kellogg received 62,483 votes, while John McEnery received 57,446 votes.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the election was marked by controversy and violence. The Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups continued to use terrorism and violence against African American voters and Republican officials. The Colfax Riot and the Coushatta Massacre were two notable examples of the violence that occurred during this time. The Reconstruction Era in Louisiana was eventually brought to an end by the Compromise of 1877, which allowed Rutherford B. Hayes to become President of the United States in exchange for withdrawing federal troops from the Southern United States. The Louisiana gubernatorial election, 1872 was an important event in the Reconstruction Era and had significant implications for the African American community and the Republican party in Louisiana. The election was also notable for the involvement of Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, and other prominent Republican leaders, including James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur. Category:Louisiana elections